What's Cooking Wednesday

I did not mean for this to be a weekly post, but I have just happened to cook up something for dinner the past 2 Wednesdays and wanted to share these easy and yummy recipes with you. Will and I have been doing South Beach Diet for the past 5 weeks (to lose our pregnancy weight) and both of these recipes are good for Phase 2 of the diet. Okay, maybe not so much the second one, but if you use whole wheat noodles, skim milk and low-fat cheese, it is probably not that bad for you!

Vegetable Medley (from the South Beach Diet cookbook)

1 medium squash

1 medium zucchini

1 red onion

1-lb. asparagus spears

1 yellow bell pepper

1 red bell pepper

3 T. olive oil

1t. salt

1/2t. black pepper

Cut veggies into bite-sized pieces, except asparagus. I cut my peppers into strips. Break off tough ends of asparagus. Combine veggies in large casserole dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes stirring occasionally. Serves 5-6.

Golden Macaroni & Cheese (This recipe is from Southern Living-2004-but my neighbor Beth actually introduced it to me.)

1 (8oz.) pkg. elbow macaroni

2c. milk

1/4c. all-purpose flour

1t. onion salt

4-1/2c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese (I use pre-shredded)

1c. soft breadcrumbs (I use pre-made breadcrumbs and 1/2 to 1/3 the amount)

1/4c. butter or margarine, melted

Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain well. Place milk, flour and onion salt in a quart jar; cover tightly and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Stir together macaroni, flour mixture and 3-1/2c. cheese. Pour into greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with breadcrumbs and remaining 1c. cheese. Drizzle evenly with melted butter. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 8.